Dictation-recording system



w. w. LoGAN -Y DICTATIoN-RECORDING SYSTEM Filed NOV. 24, 1955 May 13, '1958 United States Patent DICTATION-RECORDING SYSTEM William W. Logan, Glen Ridge, N. J., assgnor, by mesne assignments, to McGraw-Edison Company, Elgin, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 24, 1953, Serial No. 394,071

Claims. (Cl. 179-1001) This invention relates to novel features in dictationrecording systems of the type controlled and operated from one or more dictators stations remote from-the dictating machine. By way of preferred illustration, the invention is described in connection vwith a remotelycontrolled dictation-recording system such as is disclosed in Somers et al. application Serial No. 247,244, filed September 19, 1951 (now Patent No. 2,757,238, granted July 3l, 1956), and having a common assignee with the present application.

The type of dictation-recording system here referred to employs typically a plurality of dictators stations and only a single dictating machine; vIn accordance with the principles disclosed and claimed in Kohler Patent 2,650,951 issued September l, 1953, and also described in the aforesaid Somers et al. application, the dictating machine is provided with a control adjunct to cause the record to be changed whenever a dictator returns his handset or microphone to its support after having rccorded beyond a predetermined intermediate point on the record leaving still suflicient recording space on the record for an average dictation period, the term dictation period being herein used to mean the interval between the instant a dictator activates the system for his use and the instant he terminates that use. Typically Aan average dictation period requires about four minutes of recordation time on the record, but it will be understood that this recordation space may vary with different applications. However that may be, the control adjunct assures each new user of the system of having available a suicient unrecorded space for at least anpaverage dictation period for his type of service, notwithstanding that the system embodies only a single recording machine.

My invention resides in the provision of another ycontrol adjunct to cause the record to be changed each time a user terminates his use of the system regardless of the point of recordation on the record. This second adjunct may be used with or `without that-above described, but preferably the two are employed together with selective means for abling and disabling the second. By way of preferred illustration, I have herein described my invention in connection with a dictation-recording system of the character outlined in the foregoing paragraph but wherein my novel control-feature is provided with selective means to render it operable or inoperable" at will.

Although the means for causing the record to be changed upon termination of use of the system may take any desired form or be even wholly automatic, I herein illustrate the same as a Signaling means' for apprising the attendant of the machine whenl a record 'is to be changed and/or transcribed.

An object of my invention is to causesuch signaling or record-changing means to be operated upon each termination of use of the recording system representing the end of a dictation period. -A I When-acontinuously-operable signaling-means is emice ployed it is a further object to de-activate the same as an incident precedent to changing a record on the machine.

Another object of /my invention is to provide a signaling or record-changing means which is prepared for operation when a dictator picks up his handset and/or activates the system for his own use, and which is put into operation when the dictator returns his handset onto its support and/or deactivates the system.

Another object is to provide the two aforestated control adjuncts incombination with means to disable the second at will.

VThese and other objects and features of my invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention reference is had to the accompanying figure showing a schematic diagram of a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system embodying my invention.

A remotely-controlled dictation-recording system of the type above referred to comprises a home or attendants station 10 and one or more remote dictators stations of which three are indicated as 11a, 11b and 11e. At the attendants station there is a d ictating machine 12 fractionally shown as comprising a turntable 13 carrying a disc record R and mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a motor 14 for driving the turntable through a clutch 15 and friction drive wheel 16, a carriage 17 mounted for traveling movement across the record, a lead screw 19 actuated through beveled gearing 2t) by the turntable and engaging by a feed nut 1S on the carriage for effecting the traveling movement of the carriage as the turntable is rotated, recording and reproducing type translating devices 22 and 23 on the carriage with the reproducer typically spaced back of the recorder with respect to the direction of travel of the carriage, and a record-reproduce control lever 24 on the carriage operable through regular mechanism (not shown) to raise both translating devices from the record as when a record is to be changed on the turntable and to lower them both or selectively onto the record as desired.

The dictating machine is provided further with a communication circuit 25 which serially includes the primary bf an audio transformer 26, the secondary of which` is connectable by a double-pole double-throw switch 27 either to a circuit 28 leading to the recording device 22 or to a circuit 29 leading from the reproducing device 23. For simplification of description, separate amplifiers 30 and 31 are shown for recording and for reproducing, which are connected respectively in the lines 28 and 29,

The communication circuit 25 is utilized also as a control circuit and includes therefore two serially-connected relays 32 and 33. Audio currents are by-passed past these relays by a by-pass condenser 34. As will further appear, the microphones at the dictators stations are preferably of the carbon button variety requiring energization by direct current. This direct current is supplied by a rectiier and filter 35 powdered through a master switch 36 by a source of alternating current represented by terminals 37. This -direct current is utilized also to operate the control relays 32 and 33. The relays have different current sensitivity so that the relay 32 will operate at a selected subnormal current (it having the greater sensitivity), and both relays will operate at a normal current, the current levels being controlled at the dictators stations as will appear. The relay 32 comprises a normally open switch 38 connected in the power circuit 39 leading from the A.-C. source 37 to the motor 14 to cause the motor to run when the relay 32 is operated. The second relay or electromagnet 33, which is operated at the higher current level, controls the clutch 15 through a coupling 40 diagrammatically shown. These relays may perform other functions, some of which are hereinafter described. For the immediate purpose, it will be understood that the motor 14 is started when the aforesaid subnormal direct current is established in the communication circuit and that the clutch 15 is closed. to start record rotation when the normal direct current is established. An energization of the communication circuit at the subnormal current level, with a resultant starting of the motor and/ or conditioningof the system to adapt it for immediate startstop operation, is herein considered as an activation of the recording system; however, not until the clutch is closed isl the system considered as-being in operation. Furthermore, closing of the on-oi'r" master switch 36 to make power available to the system, and also typically to energize the amplifiers 30-31, is herein considered as placing the system ou stand-by for ready use.

Connected in parallel with the motor 14 is a primary of a voltage step-down transformer 41, the secondary of which is connected to a signaling circuit 42 for the recording system. Thus, the signaling circuit is energized whenever the recording system is in actuated condition.

The dictators stations 11a, 11b and 11c may be identical, wherefore a description of station 11a will suice for all three.

The station 11a has a handset 43a of the usual telephone variety comprising, as transducer elements, a carbon button microphone 44 and a receiver 45. These transducer elements are connectable to a branch 25a of the communication circuit 25 through a double-pole onotf station switch 46 which is biased closed as by a spring 47 but which is normally held open by weight of the handset, when the handset is on its support, acting as through an extension 48 of one pole of the switch. When the station switch is closed responsive to removing the handset from its support, the branch communication circuit 25u is completed through a resistor 49 to establish the lower current level aforementioned for operating the relay 32 to activate the machine; also, the receiver is then connected to the branch communication circuit 25a through a blocking condenser 50 and resistor 51. The carbon button microphone 44 is connected through a manual switch 52 in parallel relation to the resistor 49, and when so connected the current level in the communication circuit is raised to normal value to operate also the relay 33 to close the clutch. The manual switch 52 serves therefore as a start-stop control of record rotation for the machine.

The signal circuit 42, like the communication circuit 25, has a branch 42a leading to the dictators station 11a. At the dictators station this branch signaling circuit serially includes a signal lamp 53 for producing a busy signal whenever the recording system is in activated condition. Since each dictators station has such a signal lamp, a busy signal is given at each dictators station whenever the system is in activated condition.

The record-reproduce change-over switch 27 is part of a relay 54 connected by a line S5 between the positive side of the communication circuit and one side of the signalcircuit 42. The circuit of this relay is completed at station 11a by a manual switch 56 connected between the negative side of the branch communication circuit 25a and the side of the branch signal circuit 42a corresponding to the stated one side of the signal circuit 42. Whenever the manual switch 56 is closed, the relay 54 is connected across the D.-C. power supply of the communication circuit to throw the switch 27 from its normal record position, shown in the figure, into a reproduce position.

As so far described it will be apparent that operation of the recording system from any dictators station will be as follows: The attendant will close the master switch 36 to place the system on stand-by for ready use, and will place a record on the'turntable and lower the recording and reproducing devices onto the record, Whenever a dictator wants to start dictation, say at station 11a, he picks up his handset to close the station switch 46 and cause the relay 32 to operate and start the motor 14 and also to supply current to the busy signal lamps at all stations. Upon next closing the start-stop switch 52, record rotation is started to cause dictation spoken into the microphone 44 to be recorded on'the record by the recording device 22. If the dictator wishes to listen back to the last few words or sentence of his dictation, he will close the switch S6 to operatethe change-over switch 27 to reproduce position and will then close the start-stop switch 52 to start record rotation.

It will be observed that whenever the machine is in operation the carriage drive means will be actuated by the turntable through the gearing 20 and lead screw 19 to produce a progressive continuous traveling movement of the translating devices across the record, with the result that they scan a spiral path on the record from the outermost point to the innermost point of the usable record surface. Each record is preferably provided with suflicient recordable space to accommodate several, typically three or four, average dictation periods. When the carriage 17 passes a point in its advance travel whereat the recording device enters into an end zone containing, for example, only suicient recordable space for one average dictation period, an abutment or arm 17a thereof closes a control device, preferably a switch 57 herein referred to as the intermediate end switch.

This intermediate end switch is connected across the power source 37 through various switches and a control device 59. Starting with the upper terminal of the power source 37, the circuit of these elements is as follows: the master switch 36, power line 58, device 59, lead line 60, switch 61 of the relay 32 biased closed but held open when the relay is operated, lead line 62, the intermediate end switch 57, lead line 63, contact 64a and pole of switch 64, lead line 66, and power line 67 to the other terminal of the source 37. The switch 64 is operated to break with contact 64a and to make with contact 64b las an incident precedent to changing a record on the machine. This is accomplished by coupling the switch to an element of the machine that is necessarily operated incidental to changing the record. For example, it may e be connected by a coupling 65 (diagrammatically shown) to the record-reproduce lever 24, as shown in the ligure, to cause the switch 64 to be operated as the styli are raised and lowered onto the record.

The device 59 may itself be a controlling element such as a relay but is herein shown and described as constituting a sound alarm or buzzer located at the attendants station. Of the aforementioned switches in the circuit of the buzzer, 36 and 64 are normally closed but switch 61 is open during normal use of the machine. Accordingly, although the intermediate end switch 57 is closed as a dictator records into a predetermined end zone on the record, this closure has no immediate effect because the switch 61 in series therewith 4is then still held open. However, upon the dictator returning his handset onto its support to mark termination of a dictation period, the

switch 61 is closed to complete the circuit of the buzzer 59 so that an alarm is given to apprise the attendant or secretary to change the record.

As an incident to changing a record on the machine, the control lever 24 is operated to lift the styli from the record and to operate the switch 64 to shut off the buzzer. Upon so operating the switch 64 a relay 68 is connected across the main power lines 58 and 67 through lead lines 69 and 70, contact 64b of switch 64 and lead line 66. The relay 68 has a single-pole double-throw switch 71 normally positioned to make with contact 71a to connect the 'primary of the busy light transformer 41 to a lead line 72 running to the pole of the switch 38 so that the busy lights will be lit whenever the relay 32 is activated. However, as 4the relay 68 is operated, the switch 71 makes with the contact 71b to connect the primary of the busy light transformer directly across the main power lines 58 and 67 tomaintain the busy lights on during the changing of the record irrespective of whether the machine is activated then or not. When at the end of a record change the lever 24 is operated to returnl the styli onto the record, the switch 64 is returned to the contact 64a, the relay 68 is `thereby deenergized, and the switch 71 is thereby returned to contact 71a.

The above warning system has not only the major advantage of eliminating the need for a second dictating machine, and for the complicated selecting and switching apparatus which a second machine would require, butv also it has t-he advantage that as soon as a dictation period is terminated in the end zone thesecretary is signaled to transcribe the recorded dictation .and to return the typewritten copies thereof to the dictator for his signature. Thus, the above warning system serves to expedite transcription-return service. However, in the system as so far described, the transcription-return service rate is variable, depending on the dictation load on the system. For instance, if there is a slack period during which the dictation load is insufficient to cause the recordation of dictation to proceed into the end zone within la considerable time period, any early dictated matter may rest on the record for a long time before the secretary is signaled to change the record and transcribe the recorded matter. This delay in transcription-return service is particularly undesirable whenever expedition of the recorded matter to the addressee is urgent. Heretofore, in such urgent cases, the secretary has been advised to vremove the record before dictation has recorded into the end zone if it appears that the matter has been on the machine for an unusually long time. Such transcription-return service is, however, not very satisfactory because it is dependent on the memory of the secretary.

vIn order that immediate transcription-return service after each dictation period may be assured when needed, there is provided by my invention an additional control adjunct with selective means for abling the same as desired, which control adjunct is adapted to cause the buzzer 59 to sound as soon as a dictator hangs up his handset regardless of the positioning of the recording device 22 on the record. This control adjunct comprises simply a relay 73 having one side connectable to the power supply line 58 through a rectifier 74 (if the relay 73 is preferably of the D.C. type) and a manual switch 75, and having the other side connectable to the power line 67 through lead lines 76 :and 72 and the switch 38. When the relay 32 is energized to activate the system, the relay 73 is operated through the switch 38. The relay 73 has a single-pole single-throw switch 77 connected in parallel with the intermediate end switch 57 and serving as a circuit preparing means for an auxiliary energizing circuit 'of the buzzer 59. This auxiliary energizing circuit runs from the power line 58 to the power line 67 through lead line 60, switch 61, lead lines 72 and 76,.

switch 77, switch 64-64a and lead line 66. When the relay 73 is energized the switch 77 thereof -is operated not only to prepare the energizing circuit of the buzzer 59 but also to close a holding circuit for the relay itself, which holdingecircuit runs from the power line S8 to the power line 67 through switches 75, 77 and 64-64a, and then through lead 66. Thus, as the system is activated for use, the energizing circuit for the buzzer 59 is prepared for operation but the buzzer is not then operated because the switch 61 also in the buzzer circuit is opened coincidentally with the closure of the preparing switch 77. However, when use of the system is next terminated by the dictators returning his handset to its support, the relay 32 is deenergized to close the switch 61 and start the buzzer.

The sounding of the buzzer will apprise the attendant to change the record. A first act in making a record change will be to lift the styli from the record by operating the record-reproduce lever 24. This operation of the lever 24 will shift the switch 64 from its a to its b contact and will break 4the circuit of the relay 73, thus causing return of the preparing switch 77 to open position. Also, the holding circuit of the relay 73 is broken so that when the record-reproduce lever 24 is next operated to return the styli onto the record the relay 73 will not be operated. However, upon a succeeding dictator at one or another of the remote stations moving the respective station switch to on position to activate the system and the subsequent return of the switch to off position when he is through using the system, the buzzer will again sound to signal the attendant to change the record. If immediate transcription-return service is desired, then the disabling switch 75 is opened to disable the relay 73 and to place the buzzer again under control of the intermediate end switch 57.

The particular embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is intended to be illustrative and not necessarily limitative of my invention since the same isV subject to changes and modifications without departure from the scope of my invention, which I endeavor to express according to the following claims.

l. ln a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an attendants station including a dictating machine having a movable support onto and from which a record may be mounted and removed, a record-cooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record by said device: the combination of a rcmote dictators station and interstation wiring for connecting said dictators station to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating said dictating machine to record dictation, said apparatus including an on-oif station switch; means controlled by said station switch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation of dictation from the dictators station only while the station switch is in on position; signaling means at said attendants station; operation-preparing means for said signaling means; means for operating said preparing means as said station switch is moved to on position; and means controlled by said station switch and preparing means for activating said signaling means upon return of said station switch to olf position while said preparing means is in operated position.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including means operated as an incident precedent to changing a record on saidk support, and means operated by said last' stated means for restoring said preparing means to unoperated position.

3. In a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an attendants station including a dictatingv machine having a movable support onto and from which a record may be mounted and removed, a recordcooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record by said device: the combination of a remote dictators station and interstation wiring for connecting said dictators station to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating'said dictating machine to record dictation, said apparatus including an on-oi station switch; means controlled by said station switch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation of dictation from the dictators station only while the station switch yis in on position; electricallyoperable'means at said attendants station for performing a predetermined function pertaining to the control of the recording system; an energizing circuit for said electrically-operable means including circuit-preparing means and circuit-control means operable to close said for retaining the preparing means 'in operated position;

and means responsive to return of said station switch to `off position for operating-said circuit-control means. y 4. The combination set forth in claim 3 including mechanism operated as an incident precedent to changl'ing a record on said support; and switch means in circuit "with said operating means for said preparing means for 'causing said preparing means to be restored to unoperated position as a record is changed on said support.

5. In a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an attendants station including a dictating machine having a movable support onto and from which a record may be mounted and removed, a record-cooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record Eby said device: the combination of a remote dictators station and interstation wiring for connecting said dictators station `to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating saiddictati'ng machine to record dictation, said apparatus including an on-off station switch; means controlled by said station Yswitch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation of dictation from the dictators station only while the station switch is in on position; electrically-operable means at said attendants station for performing a predetermined function pertaining to the control of the recording system; and means controlled by said station switch as the switch is rcciprocated to off and back to on position for rendering said electically-operable means operative.

'6. In a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an attendants station including a dictating machine having a movable support onto and from which a record` may be mounted and removed, a record-cooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record by said device: the combination of a remote dictators station and interstation wiring for connecting said dictators station to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating said dictating machine to record dictation, said apparatus including an on-otf station switch; means controlled by said station switch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation vof dictation from the dictatorsy station only while the stationl switch is in on position; electricallyoperable means at said attendants station for performing a predetermined function pertaining to the control of the recording system; means controlled by said station switch as the switch is reciprocated to olf and back to on position for vrendering said electrically-operable means operative; means operable to condition said machine for change of a record on said support; and means controlled -by said last-stated means for restoring said electrically-operable means to unoperated position as said machine is conditioned for a change of record.

7. In a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an attendants station including a dictating machine having a movable support ontoV and from which a record may be mounted andremoved, a record-cooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record by said device: the combination of a remote dictators station and interstation wiring for connecting said diectators station to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating said dictating machine to record dictation,.said apparatus including an on-ot station switch; means controlled by said station switch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation of dictation from the dictators station only while the station switch is in on position; electrically-energizable signaling meansat said attendants station for apprising an attendant -to change a record on said support; an energizing circuit for said signaling means; a relay having a normally open circuit-preparing switch in said energizing circuit and controlled by said station switch to close saidpreparing switch as said station switch is moved to "on position; a holding circuit for said relay rendered operative as -the relay is operated; and a second relay controlled-by said -station switch and having a normallyclosed switch in said energizing circuit which is opened af: said `station switch is moved to on position and closed as said station switchis returned to oi position.

8..The combination .set forth -in claim 7 including mechanism. operated as an incident precedent to changing a record on said support; and a switch in said holding circuit operableby said mechanism as a record is changed for vopening said holding circuit to cause return of said preparing switch to open position.

9. In a remotely-controlled dictation-recording system comprising an a-ttendants station including a dictating machine having a movable support onto and from which a record may be mounted and removed, a record-cooperable translating device, and drive means operative to produce a relative advance movement between said record support and translating device for scanning a supported record by said device: the combination of a remote dictators sta-tion and interstation wiring for connecting said dictators station to said dictating machine; apparatus at said dictators station for operating said dictating machine to record dictation, said apparatus including an on-off station switch; means controlled by said station Switch via said interstation wiring to enable recordation of dictation from the dictators sta-tionv only while the startion switch is in on position; an intermedi-ate end switch operated by said machine in response to relative advance movement between said record support and translating device past a predetermined scanning point marking the beginning of a predetermined end zone of recordable space on the record; an electrically-energizable control device for said system; means controlled Iby said station switch and said intermediate end switch for causing energization of said control device upon the station switch being returned to off position while said intermediate end switch is in operated position, a control switch connected in parallel with said intermediate end switch for paralleling the control function of the latter on said control device; operable means for said control switch controlled by said station switch for causing the control switch. to be moved to operated position as said station switch ismoved to onf position whereby upon subsequent return of said station switch to olf position said control device is energized irrespective of the positioning of said intermediate end switch; and selectively- "operable means for disabling said control-switch-operable means at will.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said electrically-operable control device is a signal warning means at the attendants station for apprising the attendant to change the record on said support, including mechanism operated as an incident precedent to changing a record on said support, and means operable by said mechanism upon initiation of the operation of changing a record for shutting olf said signaling means.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Chenoweth et al Mar. 247, '1942 Kohler Sept. `I, 1953 

